Adventure Travel Photography Blog
I took a week break from traveling and headed back to my friend Page’s in Wellington where I got to show her horse, Tomcat. I already posted pictures and videos on Facebook, but I’m quite far behind on my blog, so for some people this will be a repeat.
GO FOR A RIDE!
The City of Crystal River is located in Citrus County on the Nature Coast in Florida’s bend on the Gulf of Mexico. It is best known for the manatees which are attracted to its first magnitude springs in the winter months and markets itself as the manatee capital of the world. I’d be lying if swimming with the manatees wasn’t the main reason why I visited Crystal River, but the city of 3,000 offers other things to do as well. A few are listed below:
EXPLORE!
After visiting Venice for a couple of days, VANgo, Annie and I inched a little further north to Dunedin. Dunedin is located on the west coast just north of Tampa. It is best known for its beaches and pine forest of Honeymoon Island.
FIND OUT MORE!
The City of Venice is located on the coast in Southwest Florida about one hour south of Saint Petersburg. It was formerly known as Horse and Chaise, but settlers renamed it due to the many natural waterways.
Venice grew with the arrival of the railroad in 1925, but subsequently slowed with the 1929 stock market crash. The city gained a new life with an Army Air Base during WWII and the circus coming to town for its winter home in 1960.
Currently, the city of 25,000 features a lovely, historic downtown and many beautiful beaches. It is known as the “shark tooth capital of the world” and offers visitors many things to do, some of which I’ve listed below.
EXPLORE!
After visiting Sanibel Island for the day, I seeked out a Cracker Barrel outside of Fort Myers for the night. This was my first time to camp at a Cracker Barrel, and the parking area was much nicer than Walmart’s where I tend to stay at when wilderness is not available. Cracker Barrel parking lots in Florida are heavily shaded which is a luxury for these hot days. I joined several other quiet campers in the back.
It was so nice, I actually returned for another night, but things were different the second time. The person next to me was running something gas powered, and all the fumes were seeping into my open windows. After an hour of breathing exhaust, I finally moved only to be awoken at 5:30 am as workers delivered boxes of supplies from the truck to the Cracker Barrel kitchen.
Oh well, what can I say? You get what you pay for! And in this case, boondocking in a shaded parking lot was probably still better than reserving a $100 shadeless, campground a year in advance!
EXPLORE!
Sanibel Island is located off the west coast of Florida near Fort Myers. The 15 by 5 mile island is best known for its seashells and the “Sanibel Stoop” (bent at the waist collecting shells).
Sanibel offers all the modern conveniences without all the modern high rises. Buildings may only be as tall as the highest tree, approximately three stories.
By car, the island is accessed via the Sanibel Causeway for a $6 toll. The road extends through Sanibel to Captiva Island.
Given the Captiva Island beaches are not dog friendly and Annie, my Doberman, is my sidekick, I didn’t make it to Captiva, though I had plenty to do for a day in Sanibel.
ISLAND HOP!
Jupiter is the northernmost town in Palm Beach County and has a population of 61,000. The beach town is rated one of the top and happiest in the USA. Its barrier island is ranked as having the highest per capita income of any place in the country. It is home to the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Celine Dion. While I did drive down the street of mansions blocked by high bushes, naturally I didn’t boondock nearby!
NOT THE PLANET!
Mount Dora is a city of 13,000 located in central Florida northwest of Orlando. Restaurants, cute shops, galleries, wineries, and more line the quaint historic downtown. Mount Dora is known for its arts and antiques and holds many festivals.
When visiting, definitely stay at the Lakeside Inn located on Lake Mount Dora on the edge of the historic district. Built in 1883, Lakeside Inn is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Florida. It has hosted many dignitaries and celebrities, including President Calvin Coolidge and Lady Grace Coolidge.
EXLPLORE!
I already posted a pic of me and Annie in front of the New Mexico State Sign as that was my first border crossing in VANgo six months ago. My excitement got the best of me since I wasn’t even spending any length of time in New Mexico on my way to Arizona. Regardless, here it is again now that I’m writing my summary of my time spent here. In case you didn’t know, the roadrunner is New Mexico’s state bird. If you have a fun state sign photo (taken responsibly), I’d love to see it!
Before I start talking about New Mexico, for the holidays this year GPSMyCity, the company who uses my posts for walks around cities, is letting me give away 10 free “memberships.” If you are interested, comment below, and you can use the app for free (a $19.99) for a year. I have found their maps very useful for my travels, and despite being approached by many companies to promote, this is one of the few that I do. Check them out. There’s no catch, and I don’t get anything in return. I will tell them you are one of my ten that want it.
TAKE THE CHALLENGE
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is a complex of three Spanish missions located near Mountainair, New Mexico. The area was originally inhabited by the Tiwa and Tompiro language-speaking pueblo people who operated a thriving trade community.
In the 1620’s, however, the Spanish missionaries and government came to the area. The Franciscan friars tried teaching and enforcing their faith on the Indians. At first the Indians were cooperative as the Spanish brought useful tools and other materials. For over 15 years, they helped the missionairies build big churches and learned their ways.
EXPLORE!